High School Teammates Honor Memory Of 16-Year-Old Basketball Player

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DENTON (CBS11) - At Denton's Guyer High School, teammates and coaches on the junior varsity basketball team honored the memory of 16-year-old Corey West.

He died Sunday night after a car hit him while he crossed S. Loop 288 at E. McKinney Street.

Before their first game without him, they held a moment of silence.

Assistant principal Mark Jasaulske addressed the crowd. "Corey was more than a friend and a teammate. He exemplified how all of us should invest in our lives and lives of people."

During a huddle, West's teammates thanked God for their short time they had with him.

They placed his jersey, number 11, on the bench.

West's fellow Wildcats said he was the closest thing to being a perfect friend.

Reshaun Conley is West's older brother and says he is touched by the community's support. "It makes me feel very good because I didn't know how many people my brother touched until this happened."

Conley says he'll never forget his fun-loving personality. "He was just funny. If anything happened, he'd make a joke out of it. He didn't like seeing people upset."

Now, he says so many people are devastated.

Denton police say they are still investigating the accident.

The driver stopped to help and detectives say for now will not face any criminal charges.

Cindy Bird's son played basketball with West for four years. "Always happy. He never seemed down, he was always smiling. When you ask me what I'll remember about Corey, the smile on his face."

Bird bought these carnations to pin on the players' jerseys during today's game.

She says red was West's favorite color and was as just as vibrant as he was.

Bird says teammates can learn from him. "Even during troubled times, you can still smile that smile."

Conley says "If anyone has brothers, sisters, close family, just stay real close to them because you never know when that day will come when their last moments will be."

The community has set up a Go Fund Me account and so far, has raised more than $11,000 for West's family.

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